MRI Study Visits
A Snapshot of Your Child’s Growing Brain
Our research team is excited to work with you and your family at your baby's study MRI scan visits!
​Please use this site for some helpful tips on what you can expect for your upcoming visits, along with ways to prepare your baby for an MRI. We understand that having your baby take part in a research study can raise many questions, especially when it involves something like an MRI. Our goal is to help you feel informed and confident about an MRI, how safe it is for infants, and what you can expect for your study visits.
Location
Our MRI visits are located at Emory University – Health Sciences Research Building Center for Systems Imaging Core
1750 Haygood Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Parking
Free parking is available across from the building entrance in spots reserved for CSI Clinical Research Visitors. There may be a parking cone in those spots, please feel free to move them to park. Our team will provide you with a parking pass to display in your car windshield.
Our MRI team is here to help make your visit as easy and comfortable as possible. Research Assistants will be with you every step of the way, answering any questions and helping guide you through the MRI process. They’re here to ensure you and your child feel comfortable and confident throughout the visit.
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Our friendly MRI technicians are trained to perform the scans with care and expertise, making sure your child is safe and relaxed during the process. They specialize in working with children and know how to make the MRI experience as stress-free as possible. Together, the Research Assistants and MRI technicians work to create a supportive and caring environment for your family.
Meet Our MRI Team
Meet Our MRI Team
We know the idea of putting your little one in an MRI machine can sound a little intimidating, but don’t worry, our MRI team is here to make the whole process as smooth and stress-free as possible! Our experts are specialists in capturing brain images while keeping your baby comfortable and safe.
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The MRI itself is non-invasive, and the team will be there every step of the way to ensure your child is calm and relaxed.
Hamza Syed, B.S.
Research Assistant
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Tyla Keys, B.S.
Research Assistant
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Deep Dive
What is an MRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a safe technique that is routinely used with people of all ages, including infants. MRI does not use X-rays or radiation, rather, you can think of MRI as a strong magnet that measures how water molecules respond to the magnetic field to take detailed pictures of the brain. These images help us understand the brain's structure and, in some studies, which parts of the brain are active when we see, hear, or do things.
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The MRI machine looks like a large, open-ended tube where your baby will lie comfortably during natural sleep while the images are taken. The process is simple, non-invasive, and safe.
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Important Note About Metal because the MRI uses a strong magnet, it’s important that no metal items are brought into the room. We will guide you on what to avoid before the scan.
In babies, the brain is growing and changing rapidly, and every experience—like seeing, hearing, moving, and interacting with others—helps shape this development. By using MRIs, we can observe how different parts of the brain are connected and working together. This helps us understand typical brain development and how it may look in children with an elevated likelihood for autism.
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Studying the brain in early childhood is important because it’s a time when so much is happening. MRIs can show how early differences might influence things like social interaction, communication, and learning. With this information, we can better support children, helping them thrive as they grow and ensuring they have the right resources when they need them.
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Ultimately, MRIs help us learn more about how the brain develops and how we can support each child’s unique strengths and needs, ensuring that all children have the best opportunities to reach their potential. By taking part in this critical research, your baby will be helping us advance our understanding of brain development and contribute to new ways to support children in the future.
Supply Information for Your Baby's Research MRI Visit
When you and your baby arrive to your MRI study visits, we have the following available that you are welcome to use to help prepare your baby for MRI:
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Metal free clothing
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Extra pacifiers without metal clip
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Formula
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Nursing pillow (boppy)
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Infant blanket
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Bottle warmer
What to Expect for Your Study Visit
What to Expect Before the Scan Begins
Step One: Screen for metal, weigh, and measure your baby
You will be greeted by our research team and taken to a quiet space to discuss how the visit will go. We’ll start by explaining the MRI process and going over safety rules. For everyone’s safety, please leave any metal items (like jewelry, keys, or belts) at home or in your car. If needed, we have lockers where you can safely store your personal belongings before the scan begins.
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Getting Ready for the Scan:
Before we begin, we’ll take the time to help you and your baby get fully prepared for the MRI. Our team will start by measuring your baby’s height and weight, which are important for our MRI technicians to ensure the scan is set up correctly. -
Helping Your Baby Prepare for Sleep:
Our research has found that it is most helpful to scan infants while they are in natural sleep. You can take this time to get your baby ready and as comfortable as possible for the scan. Here are a few helpful things you can do:
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Change Your Baby’s Clothing:
Please dress your baby in comfortable, metal-free clothing (like onesies or pajamas without snaps or zippers). If you didn’t bring any, we can provide clothing for your baby to wear during the scan.
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Feed Your Baby:
If your baby is due for a feeding, this can be a good time to prepare or give them a bottle or nurse them. A full belly often helps babies settle and fall asleep more easily.
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Bring Comfort Items:
You’re welcome to bring familiar items like a pacifier, a favorite blanket, or a small stuffed animal to help soothe your baby before the scan. These items can help create a calm and familiar environment. Our team can use a metal detector wand to ensure the items will be safe (metal free) to have in the scan room.
What to Expect During Your Baby's MRI Visit
Step Two: Nap time routine
When we enter the MRI room, you can start your baby’s usual naptime routine, like rocking or feeding them. We offer a rocking chair, soft music, swaddling blankets, and other items that don’t have metal, to help comfort your baby. Our team will step out of the room to give you some privacy; however, if you need us at all, please feel free to knock on the door. Our team will also provide you with a squeeze ball that you may squeeze when your baby has fallen sleep, which will alert us inside the control room to prepare your baby for the scan.
Extra Support from Our Team: We know every baby is different, and we’re here to help. If you need any assistance—like warming a bottle, finding a quiet spot to nurse, or making sure your baby is comfortable—our team is happy to help.
What if my baby doesn't fall asleep? That is completely okay! Each time we work with your baby, we learn something new and collect valuable data in the process.
Entering the MRI Room and Room Set Up Information
When you arrive in the MRI room with a team member, you will notice the room is set up in an intentional way. The room will have dim lighting and gentle white noise playing in the background. This helps create a calm, quiet space to help your baby relax and induce sleep.
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By understanding these elements, you’ll know what to expect in the MRI scan room and our goal is to help you feel more comfortable with the setup process. The environment is designed to keep your baby safe, cozy, and relaxed, while also supporting you throughout the visit.
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Head coil
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Acoustic Hood
The acoustic hood is a special attachment on the MRI machine that helps reduce noise from the scanner. MRI machines naturally make sounds that can be loud for some individuals during the scan, but the acoustic hood creates a quieter and more comfortable environment for your baby. This, combined with white noise and headphones, helps ensure your baby stays calm and asleep during the scan.
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Baby Hugger
The infant hugger is a soft, secure support system placed on the scanner table to keep your baby safe and comfortable. Blankets are added to provide warmth and coziness, helping your baby feel snug while they sleep. The baby hugger ensures your baby stays in the correct position for the scan, while also making the setup feel gentle and soothing.
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Camera
An MRI-compatible camera is positioned near the scanner to monitor your baby at all times during the scan. This allows the MRI team to keep a close eye on your baby without needing to disrupt the scan process. If your baby stirs or wakes up, the team can quickly respond to ensure their comfort.
Headphones
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Special infant-sized headphones are gently placed on your baby’s ears to reduce the sound from the MRI machine. These headphones also play calming white noise, which can help your baby stay asleep during the scan. Keeping your baby’s hearing protected is a top priority, and these headphones are carefully adjusted for a perfect fit. You will also receive headphones while inside the room to keep your ears protected throughout the scan.
Head Coil
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The MRI headcoil is a device that looks like a helmet. It is gently placed overtop of your baby’s head during the MRI scan (it does not touch your baby's face). Its purpose is to help the MRI machine get clear pictures of your baby’s brain by sending and receiving signals. It doesn't touch or hurt your baby, and it's designed to be comfortable while keeping their head still during the scan. The headcoil helps ensure the MRI images are as detailed and accurate as possible
Breakdown of the Scanning Process
Step Three: Equipment set up after your baby has fallen asleep
Once your baby has fallen asleep, the staff will gently place your baby on the infant hugger. If preferred, you can place your baby yourself, or a staff member will assist you. The hugger helps to keep your baby in a comfortable and safe position during the MRI scan.
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Our research team will follow these steps to place the necessary equipment for your baby's scan:
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Headphones – The staff will place headphones on your baby to monitor what they are hearing during the MRI. These headphones help to ensure the sounds in the MRI are kept at safe levels for your baby’s comfort.
2. Head Coil – A staff member will carefully position a head coil around your baby’s head. This coil is a key part of capturing the images of your baby’s brain. It’s designed to be comfortable and non-invasive while helping us get the best images possible.
3. Camera – A camera will be positioned to monitor your baby and check for signs of waking up. This allows the staff to make sure everything is going smoothly and your baby remains comfortable throughout the MRI.
During the Scan: Inside the Scan Room
During your baby's MRI visit, a staff member will be in the scan room to monitor your baby for signs of waking up. You will be able to comfortably observe your baby’s live camera feed on a screen, which also shows the time for your reference. If needed, a rocking chair will be available for you to relax in. For your safety and comfort, headphones will also be provided to you to help block out any excess noise. The MRI machine may make loud knocking or buzzing sounds during the scan, which is normal and part of the process. These sounds are caused by the magnetic field and radio waves used in the imaging process.
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If Your Baby Wakes Up:
Don’t worry! If your baby wakes up, we will immediately stop the scan, gently remove them from the scanner, and bring them back to you.
What You'll Hear During the MRI Scan
🔊 What Will the MRI Sound Like?
MRI machines make rhythmic tapping, buzzing, and knocking sounds during scanning. These sounds are completely normal and part of how the images are captured. Below are short samples of what your baby may hear during the scan.
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➤ Note: These are shortened and volume-reduced for your comfort.
➤ During the scan, your baby will wear soft ear protection to keep them safe and comfortable.
🎧 Localizer Sound (Positioning Scan)
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A short scan that helps position your baby at the beginning of the MRI.
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A longer scan with more rhythmic tapping used to collect detailed brain images.
🧠T1 Scan Sound (Main Imaging)
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You’ll be provided with:
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Soft in-ear plugs (similar to ones used for sleeping)
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A set of noise-canceling over-ear headphones
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Everything is designed with your comfort and safety in mind. Hearing the MRI sounds is part of the process, and we're here to guide you through each step!
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To protect your baby’s hearing, we use:
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An acoustic hood that helps muffle outside noise
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Specialized infant headphones that play gentle white noise
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Trained staff who monitor sound levels from the control room in real-time​
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While some of the sounds may seem loud, we take several steps to keep you and your baby safe, comfortable, and well-protected throughout the scan.
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If your baby shifts during sleep and the headphones move, we’ll see that reflected in the audio levels and can pause the scan immediately to adjust them if needed.
We also want to make sure you feel comfortable while sitting in the scan room.
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During the Scan: Inside the Control Room
In the control room, an MRI technician will be in charge of operating the MRI scanner, ensuring everything runs smoothly during the procedure. A staff member will also monitor the noise level of the headphones to ensure that the sound is safe for your baby’s comfort.
The team will be working together to ensure a safe and successful MRI experience for you and your baby. The MRI will create detailed images of your baby’s brain that you can receive a copy of as a token of our appreciation for participating in the study after all MRI scans have been completed. Once the scan is finished, the MRI table will slide back out of the machine. At this point, your baby’s scan is complete, and you’ll be guided back to the room to gather your belongings and prepare to go home.
What to Expect After Your Study Visit
Step Four: Wrapping Up Your Study Visit
Once the MRI study visit is over, a team member will walk you and your baby back to the room with your secured belongings. You’ll have time to change your baby back into their normal clothes and take as much time as you need. The team member will also help schedule your next study visit.
As your baby grows and their sleeping habits change, please feel free to share any new information that might help with future visits. If you've learned things about their sleep patterns or have specific needs or preferences for the next scan, please let the study coordinator know. We want to make each visit as smooth and comfortable as possible for both you and your baby!
Frequently Asked Questions